Gone are the days of formal living rooms and parlors, now we all live literally in the great room! It is often integrally tied to the kitchen, and sits at the center of the house. It is the hub for all activity and entertaining both family and friends. Whether it is TV watching, game playing, homework doing, project making, wrestling with the kids, curling up with your S.O. for a movie or just kicking back, feet up and cold one in hand, the great room is where it all happens. So let's look at some easy ways to make it really GREAT!

Make it hardwood! It always seems strange to me when a builder creates an island of carpet for the great room rather than continuing the elegance and durability of hardwood. Do hardwood! Not only will it provide greater continuity but adding a large plush rug with pattern and color will hide a lot more sins than the typical off white carpet. The rug will also act as a springboard for your design.

Crown molding is a must! If you don't have it, add it. If you have it, maybe you want to add another piece for a deeper look and it will give the ceiling a boost in height.

Accent color at the back of the bookcases! Many great rooms have built-ins flanking the fireplace. While these need to match the trim, the back of the them can add a real punch in an accent color, maybe a rich cabernet, a warm gold, or a fresh sage. It can either mimic the walls or complement them, but definitely not plain old white.

High ceilings need color! In today's airy, vaulted homes ceilings are often cut adrift in space 15' or more above the room, wrap them in color. When you've got 10' plus ceilings they can comfortably be the same shade as the walls or a tint lighter, but they need color to pull it all together and showoff the architectural featuring of the molding.

Keep it flexible! Go with a sofa and two chairs, instead of a sofa and loveseat or a sectional. It is much more flexible and everyone tends to like their own space. With two chairs you can always add an ottoman and even a third accent chair or bench.

Tables are a must! So often I see rooms half finished, missing key tables and those essential surfaces for a drink, a book, a phone even. Mix up your shapes, rounds, squares, rectangles, even triangles. For cocktail tables, the bigger the better, and keep the edges clipped or rounded. Life and people move fast and we often run into corners, eliminate the dangerous ones!

Lamps give it warmth! Lighting is critical, don't rely on a Swiss cheese ceiling of recessed lights (don't do it period!), or the unwelcoming glare from the overhead fan fixture (I usually banish those anyway!). Lamps are the answer - one at each end of the sofa, not matching unless you are so formal and have matching tables, and one between the chairs. More light can be gained by a well-placed torchiere (read uplight) in a corner. Proper lamp height is when the bottom of the shade is within 2"-4" of your eye level when seated. All should be three way and support 50-100-150 watt bulbs for optimal lighting.

Texture hides soil! If you focus your upholstery in quieter fabrics with a lot of texture you'll hide soil, add to durability, easy maintenance, and won't tire of a busy print. Keep the busy for pillows and accents you can change out quickly and as your mood changes.

Do drapery! Big windows need to be framed and softened with fabric and color. Don't ignore these, and don't do wood blinds or shutters. They are another hard surface and will only serve to aggravate acoustics and echoes. You don't have to cover the windows, just frame them, think of a generous wood rod with rings and stationary (not moving) panels at the sides. This will add softness, color, a bit of pattern and will cushion acoustics.